FAQ : First Look - Revisted

'm sitting in front of my computer and I can't believe it's been four years since I blogged my first post about a bride and groom opting to see each other before the wedding ceremony. Back in 2008, I explained the benefits of a First Look both as a photographer, but also as a bride who chose break tradition and see my husband in advance of the aisle. In retrospect, I tried to showcase the benefits...and then in 2009, my grooms spoke for themselves and articulated their experiences.

Still to this day, it's one of my favorite posts because this amazing group of men stood behind their decision and endorsed the experience.

I'm extraordinary proud of working in advance to walk my clients through choosing the best fit for them. Sure, not every couple sees each other before the ceremony, but most of them do and it creates such a wonderful dynamic for photos and a wonderful layout to fully enjoying the wedding day. I could, of course, go on and on about these experiences, but sometimes it's best to let photos do the talking...

When a bride and groom get a moment to themselves on their wedding day, it frees them to express their truest emotions and this was no more evident at Laura and Adam's Cancun wedding...

I particularly like this photo of Mikaela and Shane's Canada wedding at Hycroft Manor because it appears he knows he's the luckiest man in the world...

Even the strongest manly man sheds a tear or two when he sees his bride for the first time...Eric and Sonya's wedding at Terranea Resort was so sweet...

And the tears aren't limited to the men...here Jody and Shannon were overcome with emotion and excitement at their Parker Palm Springs wedding...

When Rachele and Will opted to see each other before their El Cortez wedding in San Diego, he was more than ready to get his beautiful wife in his sights...

I adored Joel and Jami's First Look at The Montage...Jami--literally--took his breath away and their first moments together were sweeter than sweet...

This isn't new wedding work, but, taken together, offers insight into why I'm so passionate about talking with my clients and letting them know their options. A wedding day offers just a few precious hours, so maximizing time together, with guests, and at their party seems to make sense...all the while offering photographers like myself the ability to document love. Uninhibited.

Bogdan - I'm sorry but Shane's NOT the luckiest man in the world. I AM, OK? And I've been for the last 25 years :-) 09.09.12 - 10:43am

Colleen - Seriously, these pictures give me goosebumps and I don't know any of the people in them. Love the First Look idea. Thanks for the recap! 08.03.12 - 12:35pm

Monika Greenaway - LOVE LOVE LOVE. I absolutely would never take back seeing Adam before our wedding. It was just us and the photographers, and after they snapped photos they left and we sat in silence just us two and that is one of my favorite memories of the day. 08.02.12 - 12:32pm

Bec - My husband and I were married 7 years ago this year and to this day our biggest regret of our wedding day is that we didn't see each other before getting to the church (and my husband agrees). I wish we had heard about the fabulous Jasmine Star's "first looks" before our wedding day and not after.
You truly are an amazing woman and you make everyone want to be a better version of themselves. Me included! xxx 08.01.12 - 10:40pm

Mariano - What a great collection of first impressions. 08.01.12 - 6:07pm

Tony Sale Photography - I love these shots, the emtion shown in their faces just can't help but touch you - such sweet tender moments. Wonderful photo's 08.01.12 - 2:39am

Chaucee - It seems like the couples you shoot really and truly do love each other. You can see its the kind of love that is rare. How amazing. 07.31.12 - 9:34pm

rich - if you made a slideshow of all your first look photos i think you could make the whole world cry. this is some beautiful photography - love this post! 07.31.12 - 7:29pm

Glitter Bird Tammy - Martin, it's tradition here to wait to see the bride as well, but this is a new trend that has really taken off! If you can get just one of your clients to do it, the trend will grow in England too. I actually just blogged about "The Reveal" as well. As the photographer, it gives me goose bumps every time! Great post JStar. 07.31.12 - 6:11pm

Jen - These photos are absolutely beautiful and I love the idea of the first look. I always like to encourage my couples to see each other before. 07.31.12 - 4:32pm

Evonne & Darren - We just blogged about First Look as well. We love it when clients opt to see each other before. They are usually less nervous by the time the ceremony comes along. Thank you for revisiting this topic! 07.31.12 - 2:18pm

Rachele - Aww!! So honored to be on the blog again. :) Love the first look... one of the few quiet moments of the day! 07.31.12 - 11:19am

Per Zangenberg Photography - Well here in Denmark it is tradition that the bride and groom do NOT see each other in dress and all, before the ceremony. The groom is not allowed to see the bride in her dress until she walks up the isle. And the ceremony is allways in a real church, unless it is a non-religious wedding. Then it is usually in the town hall. :) 07.31.12 - 10:30am

Brian Weitzel - Jasmine,
I couldn't agree more. I am always so happy to hear when my clients choose to see each other before the ceremony. Instead of trying to shoot the bride walk down the aisle and deal with changing light and inevitable aunt sticking her cell phone into the aisle to get a shot, I get to pick the location, backdrop, lighting, etc. and shoot both their reactions at their first look. 07.31.12 - 9:25am

Kitrin Jeffrey - I absolutely adore the first look, and if I had to do it over again, I would totally do a first look. It's so intimate and personal. I'm still anxiously awaiting my first couple who choose to do one. 07.31.12 - 9:16am

Martin - In England where im am from it is against tradition to see the bride before the actual wedding, however, I think these pics are great and it's a good idea. Wonder if it would ever happen over here though. 07.31.12 - 9:14am

Liz - While wedding photography isn't my main interest, how anyone cannot be moved by these images is beyond me. They're just so gorgeous and personal without being intrusive. 07.31.12 - 8:56am

Jennifer - You captured some great moments in these photos. Love them! 07.31.12 - 8:09am

Jennifer - You captured some great moments in this photos. Love them! 07.31.12 - 8:08am